superstition

noun

su·​per·​sti·​tion ˌsü-pər-ˈsti-shən 

1

a

: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation

b

: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition

2

: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary

Examples of superstition in a Sentence

It is a common superstition that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck.

tales of superstition, witchcraft, and magic

Recent Examples on the Web

The superstitions won’t be as intense compared to the ones seen in a Major League Baseball dugout, but there is an element of simply not acknowledging the streak, Harbaugh said. —Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2023

Even if the superstition didn't ultimately result in an unprecedented trip to the Little League World Series, the Shorewood Little League still made history by getting a chance to play at ... the small W? —Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2023

Rangers prospect Evan Carter recently joined the G-Bag Nation on 105.3 The Fan [KRLD-FM] to discuss his MLB debut and his tendency to stick by his equipment in the name of superstition. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 13 Sep. 2023

This kind of superstition among supposedly scientifically minded medical personnel is common enough to have been repeatedly investigated. —Will Stephenson, Harper's Magazine, 14 Aug. 2023

These stories of our ancestors and their traditions, and even superstitions, left an impression on me. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023

King on Screen platforms naïve fanboys who embellish their own childish superstitions. —Armond White, National Review, 18 Aug. 2023

Convinced that the string is just superstition, Apollo eventually cuts the string, hurtling him, his wife and his baby into a dark, deadly otherworld of New York. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2023

Such superstition now seems comparatively benign, a quaint chapter in the never-ending saga of middle-class anxiety about what the kids are getting up to. —A.o. Scott, New York Times, 21 June 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English supersticion, from Anglo-French, from Latin superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as witness or survivor), from super- + stare to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

superstition

noun

su·​per·​sti·​tion ˌsü-pər-ˈstish-ən 

1

: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, or trust in magic

2

: an unreasoning fear of nature, the unknown, or God resulting from superstition